Hmm...I can't figure out where else to put the "Disclaimers" so they'll be here.

I don't happen to own Lily Evans, James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Minerva McGonagall, Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts itself, etc. etc. Anything you recognise doesn't belong to me. So...I DO own Samantha Tchaikovsky, however.

Head Boy

Lily gathered herself at five till twelve and made to exit the compartment.

"Do I look alright?" she asked Sam. She looked up from her sketch.

"Lily, you always look beautiful," said Sam, "How many times do I have to say that?"

"Thanks..." Lily trailed off, "I just don't know who's going to be Head Boy," she continued nervously. She grabbed her set of flowing black robes from her seat and slipped them on. Sam handed her the gleaming Head Girl badge--the small golden pin with the entwined letters "HG" and, of course, the gryffindor crest. Lily pinned it to her lapel and flipped her hair out from under the collar.

"It doesn't matter Lils," said Sam, "They all love you," she added promptly, smiling at her.

"Ha ha," said Lily, "Maybe it's Remus," she suggested thoughtfully.

"Maybe," said Sam, "How about you just go down and see?"

"Be back in a bit!" announced Lily, smiling happily as she opened the compartment door and slipped into the hall. The entire length of the train was realtively quiet, and all she heard was the movement of the train and the muffled sounds of conversations. She finally stopped outisde of compartment 1D. She knocked timidly on the door.

"Come in!" said a voice.

Lily took a steadying breath and opened the compartment. Professor McGonagall was seated at the far side of the room, behind a small wooden desk. Stationed in front were two stuffed chairs. One was empty, and one was occupied with a figure. A figure with unruly black hair.

"Hey Evans," said James Potter, smiling broadly at her as she turned in his chair to stare at her.

Sam leaned her back up against the wall of her compartment. She propped her legs up on the seat and rested her sketching pad on her knees. Sketching was one of the few things that she found relaxing--what with school, work, and her prespective future looming before her, not to mention the bloody Marauders popping up all over the place.

She had just closed her eyes in final peace, when there was a knock at the door.

"It's open," she paused, "I think," she added, opening her eyes. To her eternal shock, Sirius Black stepped inside the compartment. It was almost instantly filled with the smell of that strong cologne that Sirius had insisted upon wearing every day since their fifth year. She nearly choked.

"Er...hi!" he started brightly. Sam stared at him for a few seconds, then looked back down at her paper, continuing sketching, "Moony, suggested that I come over and, er, apologise?" He continued hesitantly, scratching the back of his neck.

"Can you do nothing on your own?" she asked, nastily, finally speaking.

"You know what, Tchaikovsky?"

"What, Black?" she spit his name. He suddenly looked very taken aback, and she felt rather bad, seeing as it had taken at least a small bit of effort to apologise, "Thanks," she said quickly, recognising his look of apprehension as a negative one. With her words, his face softened immediately.

"Well, then, you're welcome." he mumbled, putting his hands in his pockets. She was about to go back to her work when he stopped at the door, "You know, this may be the last year we see each other," he said pointedly, a smile smile starting on his face.

"Unless I start work at the same second-rate hovel that you'll be graduating to, I would agree with you."

Sirius smiled, "You know, all these years, I never asked you--"

He was interrupted by the arrival of Lily, who was looking murderous.

"Move aside, Black," she commanded, moving him bodily so that she could enter the compartment.

"And what vexes thee so?" asked Sam, calmly, stealing a glance at Sirius.

"Potter!" she nearly shouted.

"Well, I know that, but--"

"No!" Lily looked at her with her emerald glass eyes, "Potter! He's...he is" she lowered her voice, "Head Boy," she finished in a whisper that said, quite clearly, the world had come to a quick and painful end.

"Oh, dear." said Sam, immediately understanding the extent of damage that his would do. Lily had wanted to be Head Girl since their first year. Now that she finally had attained her dream, leave it to James to bring her down. Sam herself didn't mind James at all. He made her laugh all the time and, in her opinion, he was the perfect match for Lily. And for that, she needed him around.

"Dumbledore made his sorry, arrogant arse HEAD BOY!" Lily shouted, near panic.

"Okay. Now, relax, Lils, you'll get through this," she assured her, handing her a tissue. To both Sam and Sirius's horror, Lily began tearing it into small shreds, "I'm afraid she might really be gone this time," said Sam sadly, moving to stand next to Sirius.

"It would appear that way," Sirius nodded, "Anyway, I had better be getting back," he moved across the hall just as the train began screeching to a stop, "See you, Chop Suey," His evil grin resurfaced once again before he disappeared across the hall. Sam sighed, wondering what exactly it was that he had never asked her all these years--then she chided herself for caring.

"Lily, come on," she sat next to her best friend, wrapping an arm around her slight shoulders. She took Lily's mass of red hair and moved it gently so that it fell over her shoulders. It was quiet.

"You're right," she said suddenly, standing with a certain resolve, "He can't ruin this!"

"Atta girl, Lily!" cheered Sam standing with her, "Who's Head Girl?" she asked, as if giving her champion boxer a prep talk. Lily rolled her eyes, "That's right, you are!" continued Sam, unphased.

"Alright, alright," Lily said, linking arms with Sam as they moved into the crowded corridor.

It was a short walk from the train station to the spot where the horseless carriages were stationed. Sam and Lily picked one out that was still empty, but soon they were joined by Alice Jones, Joanna Devon, and Mina Kellar, all three of whom shared a dormitory with them. The girls chatted amiably of their summers, beus, and after-school plans until they reached the front stairs of the castle.

Alice, who wanted to be an Auror, had spent her summer with her boyfriend of a year, Frank Longbottom. Joanna and Mina had spent their summers together in London. Neither had ever had a serious boyfriend at Hogwarts, much preferring to bounce from boy to boy, "sampling" the Hogwarts population. Sam was fairly certain that between them, the entirety of the seventh- year boys had been "sampled."

"How about you, Lily, Sam?" asked Mina, her short blonde hair bobbing up and down as she nearly bounced up and down in excitement, "Any lucky boys this go around?"

It was true that niether Sam, nor Lily had had a boyfriend through their Hogwarts careers. Both had been asked numerous times (Lily mostly by James, and Sam by no one in particular), but had never decided to begin a relationship.

"Nope," said Sam ,shaking her head, "Maybe I shall find someone," she took a deep breath then said, dramatically, "Abroad!"

"Yes, Sam has always liked her men exotic." continued Lily, catching Sam's tone.

Mina and Joanna tittered. Sam rolled her eyes.

"And you Lily?" asked Alice, looking at her.

"None for me," announced Lily, "I've enough to worry about."

"Oh yes, you're Head Girl this year," said Joanna, "but, isn't Potter head boy? And don't you two not get along?" she whispered in a hushed tone, as though it were a secret that she was planning to take to the grave.

"I'm sure we'll manage," said Lily pleasantly, and Sam was surprised to hear hardly any traceable sarcasm in her tone.

They had made it to the castle, and now piled out of the carriage to the front steps. Lily grabbed Sam's arm as she was about to be swept away by the mob of students.

"Thank you," said Sam, falling into step with Lily.

"What was Sirius Black doing in our compartment?" asked Lily finally, with a sidelong glance at Sam as they took their place in the Great Hall.

"We'll talk later," Sam said in a conversational tone as the Marauders took a seat rather near her.

"Oh yes," Lily said, "We shall."

The Hall became silent as Professor Dumbledore took the podium.

"Another year!" he boomed, "And though I have many reminders to you all, I seem to have forgotten them. Enjoy!" he announced to cheers. Sam clapped as he sat back down. She wasn't sure how old Dumbledore was, but she was certain that he would never forget anything. She laughed as she watched Lily pile her plate with her favorite Shepherd's Pie. Sam took a slice as well.

"I have to meet Dumbledore after this," said Lily finally, "to discuss..." she motioned at her badge.

"Ah," said Sam wisely, "Indeed."

Lily pushed back her chair as the feast ended.

"I'll see you in the Common Room!" she managed to yell to Sam. Sam nodded before being herded away with the rest of the students.

"Ready Evans?" said a voice in her ear. She turned to find James with his face rather close to her own.

"Yes," she said, taking a step forward towards the teacher's table, where Dumbledore was waiting for them.

"Ah, my Head Boy and Girl," he said, looking at them happily, "How were your summers?"

"Well, sir."

"Very nice, thank you."

"Good. Well, I know you both have sleep to be off to, but I wanted to remind you of a few responsibilities as the Heads," he said, "It will be your privilege to plan the Christmas ball that we will be hosting this year," he announced, "The other students will be notified of it in due course, but as the Heads, you must begin planning it. Also, you will meet with the prefects every month to ensure that eveything is going well."

Lily looked at James, who caught her eye and smiled. She refused to return the gesture.

"Yes, sir," she said simply.

"And you will make rounds," he said.

"Rounds, sir?" asked James, looking alarmed at the prospect of more responsibility, and Lily had the feeling that he had never had so much to do his entire life.

"Yes, each teacher makes them, one night a week, and on the seventh night, the Heads take that duty," Dumbledore explained, "Every Thursday, you two will patrol the corridors looking for any trouble. May I say, Mr. Potter, that you will be exceptionally inept at this, seeing as you have had much experience on the other side?"

James smirked and nodded.

"Very good. Well then, good night to you both."

Lily turned on her heel and headed for the door. James caught up with her easily. Though she was not really running away from him, she still felt rather annoyed.

"So, once a week, we have a date," he said, looking at her.

"No, Potter, we have rounds," she clarified.

"Call it what you will, Evans," he said.

"I'll call it what it is."

"Will you go out with me, Evans?" he asked. Lily was used to these impromptu declarations of affection by now, and had the answer down so that it was automatic.

"No, Potter."

"You sure?" he asked, just as he had every time he asked her.

"Yes, Potter."

"Yes you'll go out with me?"

"No, Potter."

"You're confusing," he said, "But you're gorgeous!"

They now stood in front of the the Fat Lady.

"Password?" she asked in the same simpering voice that she always used.

"Dungbomb," James smirked as the portrait swung forward, "After you, Evans," he said, bowing gallantly as she climbed through first. The common room was void of all but upper-class students, the small ones having gone to bed immediately. Lily caught sight of Sam, reading over her schedule.

"Here, Lils," she said, brandishing a second piece of parchment, "I grabbed yours too!"

"Thanks," said Lily, having forgotten. She grabbed the piece of paper and sat next to Sam. Other than those two, the four Marauders sat around, reading their own schedules.

"Off, Potions, DADA, lunch, transfiguration, charms," read Sirius loudly, throwing some Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans into his mouth, "What about you, Prongs?"

"Same!" James laughed, "Moony?"

"Muggles Studies first, then the same," Remus replied, "Wormtail?"

"Same!"

It could be expected, Lily sighed inwardly. Those four had been scheming their classes together for years.

"How about you, Evans, Tchaikovsky? Jesus, I really need to come up with a nickname for you," James reminded himself aloud. Sam's last name, was admittedly long, but it wasn't unbearable. He snatched Lily's schedule from her hands and held it up to his.

"Hah Evans!" he exclaimed, looking extremely pleased. So much in fact, that Lily had a hard time not returning the smile on his face, or being extremely worried.

"What?"

"We've all the same except for you have--" he peered closer at the page, "You're taking Muggle Studies?" he read incredulously.

"Easy O," said Sam, "I took it, too. First period, right?" she asked Lily, who nodded. Ever since their first year, they, too, had been planning their schedules to match.

"Smart, Chai," said Sirius, tipping the carton of candy into his mouth. He grabbed one that had fallen and threw it at Sam. It slipped down the front of her shirt.

"Gross!" she screamed, reaching down her shirt front and pulling it out.

"Aw, Chai, I was going to get it for you." Sirius said, and even Remus laughed.

"My name isn't Chai," said Sam. Lily didn't see the point in them arguing anymore. Many times it had been established that Sam found Sirius to be a git, a prat, an arse, the Devil himself, and many more, Sirius had showed his creative side, finding numerous nicknames for Sam.

Sirius crossed his legs in a somewhat meditative stance, "Chai....chai....chai..." he hummed.

"Shut up," said Sam, throwing a cushion at him. It hit his face, "I'm going to bed," she added.

"I'll come," said Lily, moving to take her schedule from James. He held it high above her head.

"In exchange..." he dangled it above her.

"Accio,"called Sam from the top of the staircase. The schedule detatched itself from James' grasp and zoomed towards her. She caught it neatly.

"You know, Chai Tea, you should try out for Chaser this year," said Sirius, watching her.

"You should go die. In a hole," Sam offered.

"G'night to you too!" Sirius said, and Lily laughed as she followed Sam to the dormitory.

"See you in Potions tomorrow!" James called behind her. She decided against replying.

"So..." Lily turned to see Sam's silhouette changing for bed, "We going to talk?"

"Of course," said Sam, climbing onto her bed. Lily changed into her pajamas quickly, then followed. They pulled the hangings round.

"So...Sirius? In our compartment?"

"He came to apologise," said Sam.

"That was...nice."

"He just threw candy down my shirt."

"Ah, well, that's his way of flirting," said Lily, knowledgeably.

"Lily, I would never look twice at Sirius Black," Sam hissed, "You're ridiculous."

Even in the moonlight, Lily swore her friend was blushing.